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Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, to reduce the threat of wild fires during the Independence Day holiday. Summer temperatures dry out vegetation and create an extreme fire threat that can endanger lives, property and the Valley’s fragile desert. The availability and popularity of fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday increases that threat.

All trailheads into the 27,800-acre preserve will have “closed” signs posted. Scottsdale police, staff and volunteer stewards will patrol the area to advise visitors about the closure and fire threat. Violating the closure is a Class 2 Misdemeanor punishable by up to four months in jail and a $750 fine.

The use of fireworks is prohibited in Scottsdale, but sales are permitted. Fireworks should not be used in Scottsdale – or anywhere near a natural desert environment.

“While the legislature mandated that firework sales are permitted throughout the state, our local ordinance prohibits the use of any type of consumer fireworks within city limits,” said Deputy Fire Chief Jim Ford. “Fireworks should not be used in Scottsdale – or anywhere near a natural desert environment.”

Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve encompasses the McDowell Mountains and large areas of the Sonoran Desert north of Dynamite Boulevard.

Jones Lang LaSalle’s Capital Markets announced the firm closed the sale of La Palma in Phoenix on behalf of LAP LLC of Orange County, California.

Purchased for $30.1M by Seattle-based Weidner Investment Services, the 548-unit apartment complex further cements the local market presence of Jones Lang LaSalle’s new multi-family investment sales practice, created when Executive Vice President John Cunningham joined the firm in fall of 2011.

Cunningham and Vice President Charles Steele led the Jones Lang LaSalle team on this transaction, with assistance from San Diego-based Executive Vice Presidents Darcy Miramontes and Diane Miramontes and Vice President Kip Malo.

“Phoenix has a resiliency that investors trust to grow value,” Cunningham said. “The new owners of La Palma have an excellent opportunity to improve and reposition the asset in a very strong Phoenix marketplace.”

According to Cunningham, Phoenix rental rates were up considerably at the end of the second quarter, reaching an average $774 per month compared to an average $754 in the first quarter of the year. Vacancy has simultaneously decreased, falling from 9.8% in 1Q 2011 to 8.6% by mid-2012.

“That attracts investor dollars, and has ranked Phoenix third in the nation for total transaction volume,” said Cunningham, noting that by August, total transaction velocity in Phoenix already had surpassed its 2011 total volume of $1.49 billion.

The 548-unit La Palma, located on West Bell Road near 7th Avenue, is approximately 90% occupied. It includes 2- and 3-story buildings with 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units ranging from approximately 720 to 1,444 SF.

The 1984-built property sits on 27.6 acres on a major metro arterial. Amenities include two large clubhouses, four swimming pools and multiple sports courts.

A 25-year industry veteran, Cunningham joined Jones Lang LaSalle last year in response to a surge in multifamily transactions and client demand not seen in greater Phoenix for years. He is charged with establishing and expanding the firm’s multifamily investment sales practice in Phoenix and throughout the region. Steele joined the practice in April.

Jones Lang LaSalle is a leader in the Phoenix commercial real estate market. Employing 344 industry experts, the firm offers office and industrial brokerage, tenant representation, facility and investment management, capital markets and development services. In 2010, the Phoenix team completed 3.2 million square feet in lease transactions, directed $60 million in project management and currently has 13.5 million square feet under management.

Jones Lang LaSalle Capital Markets is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers. The firm’s in-depth local market and global investor knowledge delivers the best-in-class solutions for clients — whether a sale, financing, repositioning, advisory or recapitalization execution. In 2011 alone, Jones Lang LaSalle Capital Markets completed $60 billion in investment sale and debt and equity transactions globally. The firm’s dealmakers completed $52 billion in global investment sales and buy-side transactions, equating to nearly $216 million of investment trades completed every working day around the globe. In the United States, Jones Lang LaSalle grew its total Capital Markets volumes by 122 percent in 2011 and is quickly gaining market share across all property types. The firm’s Capital Markets team comprises more than 1,200 specialists, operating all over the globe.

There are so many ways to share the spirit of giving to those that need it.

Many of your favorite online stores have special sections that donate portions of purchases to specific causes. Also, don’t forget the many independent artists and product-specific initiatives like (RED) and Tom’s Shoes that make contributions to improving quality of life as well.

The list below includes sites in which portions of purchases go toward supporting a variety of charitable causes. These can be in the form of direct donations in someone else’s name, socially responsible, economically supportive and fairly traded gifts, coupons for charitable giving and other philanthropic initiatives.

Choose what is important to you or the person you are shopping for. These sites operate year round, so you can make a difference everyday not just during the holidays!

Happy shopping and thank you for sharing this season!

1. GoodSearchGoodSearch is an online shopping outlet where a portion of your purchase from many online shopping sites will go to your choice of cause or charity.

2. iGiveiGive is another online shopping outlet, where you can register and donate a portion of your purchases from brand name online stores is donated to your cause.

3. GiftBack
At GiftBack, an online gift shopping center, 10% of your purchase goes to a charity of your choice.

4. Nonprofit Shopping Mall
When you purchase your gifts through Nonprofit Shopping Mall, a virtual mall in which you can find many popular retailers, a donation is made to your favorite charity.

5. The Hunger SiteThe Hunger Site is an online charitable retailer that donates to charities for hunger, literacy, child health, the rainforest, breast cancer and animal rescues.

6. Greater Good
At Greater Good you can make a donation to a cause of your choice in someone else’s name here.

7. Oxfam America Unwrapped
At Oxfam America Unwrapped you can buy a charitable gift for worldwide communities in need in someone else’s name.

8. Network For Good
At Network for Good you can purchase a gift card for a friend or loved one to be used toward charity.

9. Universal GivingUniversal Giving is a searchable database of volunteer and donation opportunities.

10. Common KindnessCommon Kindness is home to coupons for many popular products. When you use a coupon from the site the organization donates to your favorite charity.

11. Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping wounded U.S. service men and women. On their site you can make a donation in your name or in honor of someone else.

12. USO
The USO (United Service Organization) is dedicated to helping U.S. service men and women by providing care packages and much needed services where they are serving. You can make donations in your name or in honor of someone else.

13. Veterans Of Foreign WarsVeterans of Foreign Wars advocates on behalf of veterans and ensures they are recognized for their service. You can donate through their website in your name or in honor of someone else.